Stinky trailer and clogged black water system

[DaveW]

I don’t know what the problem is. We just got back from dry camping up near Leadville, Colorado; and the last couple of days camping, the entire trailer became really stinky with the smell of the black water system, such that we had to come home. When we tried to drain the black water tank, it only partially emptied; I used a flashlight to look down into the tank through the toilet and could see several inches of liquid and solid waste. The black tank flush didn’t have any effect. So, I dumped a couple buckets of water down there, but still no effect. It refused to flush out. I have been trailering for 20 years and have never had a problem with emptying the black water tank. I can’t really come up with a reason that explains this. And, I couldn’t find any threads on the Forum that explained all of it. I sure appreciate any help.

[chuckster57]

Have you tried filling the tank full with water? Maybe some rid-x, let it set for a day or two and then dump.

[DaveW]

That's a good idea. Thanks.

[busterbrown]

Try this magic "poo" wand. Make sure you're connected to a good water source with plenty of line pressure. With enough agitation and force, the solids will begin to seperate. If you can manage to stay hooked up to sewer, attach a clear elbow to the terminal end of the 3" outlet. While the black gate valve is open, have someone monitor the "poo" water slide as you aggressively hammer the sludge with the wand. IMO, the built-in OEM black tank rinsers do a lousy job of "chisleling" away at solids. Brute mechanical water force from above is a better option. Good luck.

[Desert185]

Are you using septic tank toilet paper?

[Johnny's Journey]

Reads a lot like this thread that had a successful ending. http://www.keystoneforums.com/forums...ad.php?t=22771

[Rumtan]

We had a clog in our pipe and ended up putting a garden hose up the pipe as far as we could then turned the water on........it may not be the cleanest thing to do but it certainly was the cheapest.....oh and another free tip; Wear rubber gloves.

Because hose is flexible it made it around the corners easier.

[Desert185]

Originally Posted by Rumtan

We had a clog in our pipe and ended up putting a garden hose up the pipe as far as we could then turned the water on........it may not be the cleanest thing to do but it certainly was the cheapest.....oh and another free tip; Wear rubber gloves.

Because hose is flexible it made it around the corners easier.

Do you have a video of that event?

[PARAPTOR]

Have you taken a peek into the under belly to make sure that valve is opening all the way?? could be a build up near a partially open valve. As we have said water water water, I would keep filling tank and flushing. A harden poo pile may require some chemicals and let sit for awhile as stated in a previous post.

[Javi]

From your description it sounds as if your toilet is a straight shot to the tank... (mine isn't on my current trailer) and because it is you have better options for breaking up the infamous POOP Pyramid...

Get a good liquid dish detergent ( I use Dawn) drain the tank as much as possible... then with the valve closed put 4 or 5 good squeezes of Dawn down the toilet and fill the tank until full and bubbles are rising in the toilet opening..

Let set for 3 to 5 days... then dump tank and with a high pressure wand ( http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...ank-wand/14497 ) flush with the valve closed until you see water rising in the toilet... then open the valve... repeat until water draining from tank is clear and free of solids...

Back in the 80's I worked at an RV dealers and we often did this...

[chuckster57]

Dawn ultra Blue is one of the best products ever made!!

[Desert185]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

Dawn ultra Blue is one of the best products ever made!!

And the Dawn Platinum.

For the OP, using a pressure washer in the toilet, especially if a straight shot may accelerate the breakdown process. Wear a face shield in case of blowback...

[DaveW]

Well, we got it cleared out and the trailer is in working shape. I followed chuckster57’s advice and put a big dose of ‘septic system cleaner’ (I used Roebic from Lowes) in there after refilling the black tank. I let it sit there for a day, and then dumped it locally. I got one of those Camco holding tank rinsers (magic poo wand) that ‘busterbrown’ recommended (Walmart has them for $6). That worked great to rinse it out when I dumped the tank. The stuff had dissolved and came right out. Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?
I wanted to thank everyone for your help. You guys are really great. I feel really dumb for not preventing that mess. I’ll try to behave in the future.

[chuckster57]

As long as you got it, it's all good!

[kfxgreenie]

Originally Posted by Desert185

And the Dawn Platinum.

For the OP, using a pressure washer in the toilet, especially if a straight shot may accelerate the breakdown process. Wear a face shield in case of blowback...

Wear a GoPro so i can laugh for days as well.

[ctbruce]

I see lots of water used to flush in your future....[emoji60]

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

[Desert185]

Originally Posted by kfxgreenie

Wear a GoPro so i can laugh for days as well.

I didn't say that I would do that.